Calling all IJN Myoko-class (妙高) fans

[Atma]

A question, IJN Haguro and IJN Aashigara's aft torpedo's tubes where removed for weight compensation during late 1944(also the searchlights around number 1# funnel) cause of the extra AA equipment, extra radars etc, during the last sortie of IJN Haguro in 1945 the forward torpedo tubes got replaced as well to make room for the extra cargo. Did the same treatment had IJN Ashigara ? The complete removal of the torpedo tubes.
Also when IJN Myoko was in Singapore crippled and finnaly sunk by The Royal Navy of the United Kingdom at 1946, had the forward torpedo tubes removed as well, or just the aft ?
Did IJN Nachi when she was sunk in late 1944, had also the chance to got her aft torpedo tubes removed ?
Thanks in advance !

[Dan K]

This topic, and answer, just came up a while ago on the j-shipboard, but I can't find it. Perhaps you can post the question over there.

[Atma]

A link for the forum please ? I forgot to add it to my bookmarks last time.
Thanks in advance.

[Dan K]

This is the link to the shipboard: http://www.j-aircraft.org/smf/index.php?board=5.0

I could not find the thread in either the current or archive section. I suggest posting the question, mentioning that you understand that the topic may have been covered recently but seems unavailable. Someone should oblige you.

[Guest]

Hello,

I have been building a scratch built model of the Myoko. Thanks to all who have uploaded pics on this board! Here is a link to my blog with pics.

http://modelwarshipcombat.blogspot.com/ ... l?spref=bl

Best

John

[Atma]

Hello,

I have been building a scratch built model of the Myoko. Thanks to all who have uploaded pics on this board! Here is a link to my blog with pics.

http://modelwarshipcombat.blogspot.com/ ... l?spref=bl

Best

John

Great IJN Myoko, John
Post some more pictures !

[nimitz4145]

For those who like this class, here are the plans of IJN Nachi 1944 configuration...

IJN Nachi

[Atma]

The general plan of IJN Nachi is not correct.
The Classic Warships Book:IJN Myoko class at page 24 and 25 has IJN Nachi without the aiming training devices on top of her turrets(those devices seems to be removed from all Heavy Cruisers from 1943 and onwards) also there is no rangefinder at the number 1# turret, the overhangs have been removed.
Also there where never 2 double 25mm AA guns instaled at both sides of number 3# turret. Only in IJN Ashigara, while IJN Myoko and IJN Hagura had triple(also a pair at the stern) according to L.& W. IJN Cruiser bible.
Its funny, cause the link provides one picture of IJN Nachi(the same picture that can be found on the page 24 of Classic Warships book) wich demonstrate the inaccuracy of the general plan of IJN Nachi.
And here is the picture:

[nimitz4145]

The general plan of IJN Nachi is not correct.

i've began my profile based on this profile...

The Classic Warships Book:IJN Myoko class at page 24 and 25 has IJN Nachi without the aiming training devices on top of her turrets(those devices seems to be removed from all Heavy Cruisers from 1943 and onwards) also there is no rangefinder at the number 1# turret, the overhangs have been removed.

I think i'll use this page as reference :
1/350 Model

Also there where never 2 double 25mm AA guns instaled at both sides of number 3# turret. Only in IJN Ashigara, while IJN Myoko and IJN Hagura had triple(also a pair at the stern) according to L.& W. IJN Cruiser bible.

Hasegawa (1/700) shows triple 25mm AA and Aoshima (1/350) don't...

[Atma]

Hasegawa is wrong, Aoshima is correct.
Aoshima's IJN Nachi rangefinder of number 1# turret needs to be cut down(only remove the overhangs). Plus the exercise aiming devices from all the turret's top must be removed.
On the exercise aiming device, most model manufactures ignore this feature, all Imperial Japanese Heavy Cruiser's exercise aiming device where removed by 1943(only IJN Mogami class never had on her 20 cm main turrets, but the older 15,5 cm had exercise aiming device).
Rest of the kit is fine.

[Kevin D]

With reference to the photos of the Haguro model on the previous page; it may be of interest for modellers to note, and to take into account if they are trying to build HIJMS Haguro in an �as sunk� configuration that;

1) She had no triple 25mm AA gun mounts on her quarterdeck (i.e. aft of #5 eight inch turret) when sunk.

2) She did have four triple 25mm AA mounts abaft the mainmast; that is, two triple mounts seemingly in place of the two twins that are seen (in photos and plans) adjacent to the rear (auxiliary) Type 94 director, and two triple mounts just abaft and outboard of there, i.e. one to port and one to starboard somewhere near the aircraft catapult rotation bases.

3) There are no single 25mm AA weapons to be found anywhere on the wreck of Haguro.

[Andrew F]

Hi Kevin,

Great to see you on line again!

Would have to disagree about the single mounts....

Here is one that that was sitting on the starboard rail forward of the catapult....

looking from behind

and from the side......

Andrew

[KevinD]

Sorry Andrew, hate to disappoint you but your photos are of a triple on its side taken from above showing only one barrel (of the three). I have a photo of the exact same weapon showing the exact same sponge including the small �bubble� on lower portion of the sponge, and other distinguishing features from your photo, and the three barrels.

The weapon lies on its side so the other two barrels are �under� (directly beneath) the one you see in your photo, but �hidden� from view because of the �down angle� your photo is taken at.

[Andrew F]

Hi Kevin,

that's why I showed the photo from behind as it is too narrow to be a triple. I specifically looked at this one as it only had one barrel.
Here is a photo of a triple from behind. The proportions are quite different.


Andrew

[KevinD]

Oh ye of little faith!

Just the opposite Andrew, besides having three barrels the �rear� is too wide to be a single.

A picture is worth a thousand words, so;

1 Sponge in same place.

2 Small �bubble� like feature on side of sponge

3 Small white soft coral growth on end of protrudence

4 �Object� in front of barrels

5 Coral �tree�

Oh, and three barrels, which I believe makes it, a triple.

[Andrew F]

Was that photo taken on the last trip?
This one allowing for the angle may well be the same gun as you photographed.... and it would appear to support you...so i stand corrected. Must be the angle.... which as you have previously pointed out is why video is often of such value. Next time will have to video each items well as take stills!

The sponge is in a slightly different position but has the bubble and the other corals etc. Sponges are animals and can, I believe move over the years??

Could have sworn that the reason I photographed the other was because it was a single..... I was sure I saw one off the starboard rail forward of the catapult.

Here's the triples near the flight deck....


Were you still going to submit that EC application for me?


Andrew

[KevinD]

Yes, I took it on the 2010 expedition.

Anyway, if the �matching� photo doesn�t convince you nothing will. The photo you just posted is the same weapon as your �single� but from a different angle again. The sponge just seems like on a different angle because of the different angle the photos (mine and yours) were taken on and the hence the different perspective. And no I do not believe those kind of sponges (or coral trees for that matter), can �walk� so to speak (that is move, from one gun to another as it were), if that�s what you are implying, nor would two guns have so many identical growth features on it or adjacent.

However, Andrew you are certainly entitled to believe what you like, but I repeat for the benefit of others that there have been no single 25mm AA weapons found on Haguro on all the dedicated dive expeditions � or other dive trips - to her wreck site since her discovery in 2003.

PS. The second photo you just posted (lower one) in above post is (two) different triples again. All told there are four (that I have photos of) abaft the main mast (but forward of #4 eight inch turret).

[Andrew F]

No, what I meant was that it may have moved a few inches down the gun... not from one to another. I agree it is the same gun........ and any differences are due to perspective and lens distortion.

Andrew

[Atma]

Thanks for the photos Andrew F and KevinD

[Atma]

Food for thought, IJN Ashigara 1942 or 1943(I belive 1943 judging by the complete removal of the overhangs in her number 1# turret):

Notice the white painted main rangefinder.